we are driving to New Orleans next week. we are taking off saturday and driving to s. texas

[seabeyond]

i have never been in that area. we thought we would check out austin and tour UT for the boys. it is a college both boys consider going to. i would like to see galvaston and drive towards NO from there. we leave saturday and we dont need to be in NO until wednesday afternoon.

i have wanted to visit NO forever. i was so excited for the trip. it is my MIL/FIL's 50th wedding anniversary. we will be staying at the Bienville House. i think it is on destin or something, in the FQ. i have been wanting to see this town forever. my inlaws have done about everything to ruin this trip for me. we have to dress up every night for dinner and dress appropriately during the day (she gave us a dress code, lol) to walk around in the town. my FIL grew up in the FQ and he is going to walk us around. he wants us to walk boubin street. i have NO interest walking bourbin street. none. we all have kids. i have no interest taking my kids and nieces and nephews on bourbin street. i have not heard one person say bourbin street was appropriate for kids.

ALL the fuckin things to do, and this is it.

i want to hit garden district one of the days. also, we are doing the civil war and wwII musuem, and tour of cemetery that my oldest son won't do. he has always felt stuff around cemeteries and he wont go. lol. i want to.

but, we are leaving early and my family and i will have a day or two in the area to do what we want. what do we have to do, just have to do in this area that we are missing out on. i kinda want to get a feel of the swamp area.... cause that is always what i read in books. but, anything you want to point out that we cannot miss?

[DURHAM D]

1. Don't skip the Aquarium.

I have not been to NO in many years but Bourbon St. should not be a problem during the day.

[seabeyond]

2. we have hit an aquarium when going to most towns, so i thought to skip it. but you are the third

person to mention that. is it so awesome, gotta see?

[OffWithTheirHeads]

3. If you get the opportunity to eat Boiled Crayfish DO IT!

Also, Louisiana has the best hot link sausages I've ever tasted. I nursed 8#s of em back to California. The most fun thing we did when we were there was to take one of those horse and carriage rides through the Bourbon street area. The history we learned was amazing. Finally, you can, and should take your kids to Bourbon street. It's mostly stores filled with tourist crap from Communist China (think Fisherman's Wharf in S.F,) but the architecture and history are to die for.

[seabeyond]

27. boudan. my brother use to bring us boudan. love the stuff. he would get the stuff off the side of

the road. would tell us, dont want to know what is in it. but yum.. it was good. for whatever reason he has not been able to find the real stuff, only the company stuff lately. not nearly as good.

will remember about the sausage. i dont do crayfish, but hubby and boys do.

[WolverineDG]

4. Um, Austin isn't "South Texas"

;)

Have a good & safe journey!

dg--who lives in South Texas ;)

[sammytko]

5. I was going to say the same thing - lol!

San ANtonio is where s. texas starts - to me anyway

[WolverineDG]

8. That's right! nt

[seabeyond]

7. hey.... i am way up here. you are way DOWN there. south to me. lol

;) backatcha.

[WolverineDG]

9. Ah, but "South Texas" has its own culture/feel to it

than Central Texas, or even Austin (Keep Austin Weird, btw :thumbsup: ). Sure, it may be further south than where you're at right now, but that doesn't make Austin part of South Texas.

:)

dg

[seabeyond]

10. kinda like saying north texas. i think of us. noooooo, not for you texans. below

ntexas is BELOW us, lol.

you texans

weird shit

[WolverineDG]

11. Panhandle, eh?

wow, you are way up there. :)

dg

[seabeyond]

12. so, is there anything i really want to see down below us? any town or area i MUST drive thru.

we have five days to get to NO.

[WolverineDG]

15. San Antonio is about as far south as you could reasonably travel

Not sure how many days you're spending in Austin, but SA is just 90 minutes further south on I 35. You can easily make a stop at the Alamo &/or follow the Mission Trail to see all of the missions still existent in SA as well, then take I 10 over to Houston (3 hours +/- drive). You'd still have time to see Galveston before heading to NOLA. :)

dg

[seabeyond]

21. thanks. you know, i was gonna skip alamo, but thinking

with kids, we ought to do, just cause, we ought to do.

we arent spending any real time anywhere, and not UT. mainly look, check out and maybe buy a tshirt for youngest son.

[WolverineDG]

28. You can do a "drive by" of the Alamo when all is said & done

& then follow the Mission Road to the others.

http://www.nps.gov/saan/index.htm

Mission Concepcion is interesting because it still has original frescos, & Espada has the acqueduct.

http://www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/upload/SAANmap1.pdf

dg

[sammytko]

16. Take 281 South - lots of neat little towns

I used to live in Altus OK but kept a house in "s.texas". We loved going through that area. Hated I-35.

You can jump off to 183 in Lampassas to get to Austin, but then you would miss the lavendar farms in Blanco.

[seabeyond]

20. "s.texas"... lmao, funny you

thanks for the tip on what roads. we are so open to do as we want.

[Texasgal]

31. Does that take you through Goliad?

Neat old Spanish Missions you can walk around. :)

[sammytko]

53. no, that would be further southeast of san antonio

Our history professor keeps telling us we should go!!!

[sammytko]

6. Bourbon St is fine during the day

Used to love going there when I was stationed in Biloxi

[LuvNewcastle]

13. Go see Jackson Square, the St. Louis Cathedral,

and the French Market. You must go to the Cafe du Monde and have beignets (French doughnuts) and cafe au lait. At some point, I usually get a muffaletta (a big round sandwich) at Central Grocery and take it to the top of the levee. They have benches up there and you can watch the boats go by on the river while you eat. New Orleans has so many wonderful qualities, but I love the various kinds of food and drink most of all.

[seabeyond]

22. i want to see the french market. i dont know anything about it, but have heard about it, lol.

and we are going to see a church. i bet that is it. inlaws say Cafe du Monde and i have heard about this. (it is bourdin street, isnt it. lol)

gotta try thr sandwish. will write that down.

oooohhhh, you are might type of site see'r. lol. that sounds perfect.

[Cresent City Kid]

67. Pierre Maspero's makes a great Muffelata

Be prepared, it's a sandwich that can feed a family of four. I don't blame you for avoiding Bourbon Street, but if you're in the Quarter, take a walk down Royal Street during the day. Lots of interesting shops with artistic window displays, none of them rated R.

I have to admit I'm jealous, I've been living in San Antonio since Katrina, and have only been back to New Orleans once since the storm. Have a great trip, you picked the best time of year to go.

[seabeyond]

74. every one who lives there

has said the same as you. that is what i read from people who lived there too. none is really all that impressed with bourbin st. seems to be only a tourist thing.

thank you for telling me about royal street. that sounds perfect for me. we are going ot swing by san antonio to drive by the alamo, say we were there, lol.

thank you. muffelata is what i was trying to remember to tell hubby.

[Behind the Aegis]

72. Cafe du Monde and Central Grocery are on Decatur Street.

The Cafe is in front of Jackson Square. The French Market has been redone and is quite nice. Lots of shopping.

[seabeyond]

75. so much fun. so much right around where we will be.

i have decided we are going ot have to get in a day earlier for just my family and i to see some stuff.

[DefenseLawyer]

14. Take the streetcar up St. Charles

You can visit Tulane (my alma mater) and check out the Audubon Zoo and see a quieter less touristy side of New Orleans. There are some nice little places to eat or have coffee. Jazz brunch at Commander's Palace in the Garden District is also fun, although a little pricey for what it is, as I recall. You should also get some beignets at Cafe du Monde which is in Jackson Square near the quarter. The aquarium is nice although for me if you've seen an aquarium you've seen an aquarium, but theirs is pretty nice.

[seabeyond]

23. perfect.... thanks DL, what yawl are suggesting is my kinda stuff. i want to do exactly this.

thank you so much. and even pricey, gotta do jazz brunch, lol

sigh. yea. now i am getting a little more jazzed about the trip. i just like to have fun, lol

[trof]

17. 9:00 a.m. on Bourbon Street

You can watch proprietors/staff hosing last night's puke and piss off sidewalks.
When I was in College, I LOVED Bourbon Street at night.
Now you couldn't pay me enough to be there after dark.

Having said that, the 'Quarter' is an interesting and historic place.
Lot's of 'colorful' characters out and about too.
DO have coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde.
Then walk UP to the top of the levee and see boat traffic on the Mighty Mississippi.

The WWII museum is HUGE and you could spend several hours there.
There's a nice restaurant adjacent with an outdoor courtyard.
Had a tasty lunch there.

Y'all have fun and fait le bon temps rouler!
:-)

[seabeyond]

24. thank you. i am getting much more excited about the trip. all this time with family,

i didnt want to feel yucky doing this. now.... i am ready adn anticipating.

thanks.

[trof]

18. Dress code? WHAT dress code?

Last May I wore Bermudas and an Aloha shirt in the quarter and felt right at home.
Jeans would be fine.
You could wear a Speedo or bikini, for that matter.

[seabeyond]

25. no shit... lol. NICE jeans (like we ever wear unnice stuff) and COLLAR shirts

can you believe. i have to buy two friggin shirts for each boy. they would have been so much more comfortable in cargo shorts and a nice tshirt. night? khaki pants, button up shirts. loafers. jacket on one night. SO, i have to buy three shiirts each, shoes each and one pair of pants each to wear THREE nights, lol lol. can you believe.

and they will NEVER wear any of this stuff again. that is why they don't own any of this stuff in the first place.

[trof]

30. I have to ask. Why cave in to the in-laws?

[seabeyond]

33. it is five sibling celebrating their 50th anniversary. they are all excited. they are a family

that allows mom to dominate and control. always has been and always will be for them. one reason hubby married me the first time around them i got drunk and went on a rant.... who the fuck does she think she is telling me what to do. my parents didnt do that with us, so opposite the way i was raised. fuckin 18 yrs of saying no. this one, it is for her special 50th anniversary. they gave her an inch and she has fuckin taken it a mile. i cant get unpissed having to suck this one up.

the siblings never stand up to it. she generally doesnt push me. she still hasnt. i havent responded to any of her email dictates. probably why i keep getting them.

i could take the shorts (well, i will anyway) and kids dress nicely in them, and i will probably have a lot of people pissed. i dont know.

[irisblue]

36. a few thoughts/questions

how old are your boys? i ate at Muriel's and Brennan's for dinner on two separate nights. Both places had very good food and the clients were dressed as you described. Do you know which restaurants you will be eating at, you could google them to check the reviews? enjoy the trip, i'd go back in a flash

[seabeyond]

38. ya, i have the info. of course. a couple 5 emails every two weeks

Wednesday at 6:30 at Mr B’s (one of Brennan’s restaurants) 18 people 201 Royal St 504 523-2078

Thursday at 7 pm at Brossards. (Thanksgiving Dinner.) 18 people 819 Conti St 504 581-3866

Friday night at Emeril’s NOLA for 6:45 pm 18 people 534 St Louis St 504 522-6652

[irisblue]

40. wowi am totally jealous!

you should have a wonderful time.

[seabeyond]

43. lol

we are into our foods.

thanks for you bright lite on it. lol. i really want to try the emeril.

[marlakay]

59. I didn't eat at them but...

I did hear in Chow hounds that those are all good places.

I don't remember the name but one of our restaurants was Italian and the waiters and waitress sang opera up and down the aisles. Was so beautiful and … almost brought tears to my eyes...

[seabeyond]

61. ahhhh. lol. that sounds fun. nt

[Major Nikon]

19. What is your driving route to Austin?

The hill country has some pretty scenic drives depending on what your route is and some of the smaller towns in the hill country are nice places to visit. If you are going south to I-10 and then going east, you can go down Hwy 290 and bypass San Antonio. That's a pretty nice drive and it takes you through Fredericksburg which is a very nice down. They have a big WWII navy museum there (Fredericksburg was the birthplace of Adm Nimitz). There's also a lot of great German restaurants, so it would be a good place to stop for lunch or dinner. My wife and I usually go to Fredericksburg twice per year just because we like it so much. Stonewall, Texas has the Becker Vineyards which is nice to tour. It's not as nice as the ones in Napa, but it's a similar experience. On the way is the Pres Johnson ranch which is worth seeing.

Galveston itself is OK. You can go to Moody's Gardens or go deep sea fishing, but if you're just passing through I don't now that you'd get that much out of it. The drive from Freeport to Galveston is nice, but it gets boring by the time you get there. The beaches aren't pristine, but they aren't bad. This time of year it will probably be cold and windy and not many people will be there.

Bourbon street is probably OK if your kids are older, but it doesn't hold much interest to me. It's just a street filled with old bars and strip clubs. The only thing I like about it is some of the bars have some good local music, but mainly it's just a place for people to go and get drunk. If you don't want to take the kids, you can always split up and take them for a trolley ride down St James street. Some (all?) of the trolley drivers are like tour guides and there's a lot of historic homes to see.

[seabeyond]

26. i ahve heard of fredericksburg. ya, german rest. i want to do that.this would be a

good place to stop at hotel.

thank you. reading all your guys posts are making me more excited about the trip. so after fredericksburg, there is nothing else to really head to. i will haev to look at the map. but i heard about that area a long time ago and wanted to see.

thanks

[Major Nikon]

29. There's plenty to see and do there

I don't know how much time you want to spend there, but there's more there to see and do than you could fit into two days.

Fredericksburg is the nicest of all the hill country towns. There's a lot of great places to stay. There's many B&Bs to pick from. I always fly into there, so I usually stay at the hotel on the airport. It's a neat hotel with a WWII in the Pacific theme, but all the rooms only have one bed, so it's not very kid friendly. There's a very nice diner on the airport which is a great place for breakfast. Since it's out by the airport, it doesn't usually get too busy like the breakfast places in town. You can watch the planes take off and land from the big windows. It's only open on the weekends and maybe Thursday, though.

Just outside the airport is the Cotton Gin. It's a very nice restaurant for hill country cuisine and they also have several cabins for rent around a Koi pond. The cabins all have real wood burning fireplaces and they furnish the wood. They also have fire pits right outside the cabins, so you can sit around the fire, make smores, etc. If you build a fire the other cabin dwellers tend to congregate around it so it's a good place to meet people. In town is quite touristy with lots of shops and restaurants. Just outside of town is a restaurant called the Herb Farm. It's a very neat place and I highly recommend it.
http://www.fredericksburgherbfarm.com/

The Fredericksburg brewery is a good place for lunch and it's right in the middle of all the action. They have some good microbrews. The food is good and has a German flair, but it's a bit touristy (as are pretty much all the places). I haven't found what I would call a really great German restaurant there. Most German restaurants are tourist traps. Der Lindenbaum is as good as any and that's usually my choice when I'm there if I want German food. It's right by the Nimitz museum.

[Texasgal]

32. Fredricksburg has the best German food

around, also the Main Drag is full of funky shops and antiques.

[seabeyond]

34. i heard of this town. wanted to visit. it is a must. i saw your post above, too. nt

[Obamanaut]

35. If you are all grown up with children of your own, you do not have to let

MIL and FIL tell you how to dress, what to do, and/or where to go. Do what you want to, visit with them until it becomes tedious, then leave to pursue your own interests. They are not the boss of you (I heard that in a movie recently).

[seabeyond]

44. no. and generally i would be able to. actually generally she wouldnt even

try it with me. it is their special 50th, and she is going a little far on the dominant control thing.

[Downwinder]

37. Not a tourist attraction, but the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals

Courtrooms are very impressive.

[seabeyond]

45. really, lol. that is unique. nt

[Downwinder]

49. They try to intimidate you with the majesty of the law and the

Courtrooms are effective. Aside from that the wood paneling is beautiful.

[ScreamingMeemie]

39. I took my son down Bourbon Street, but it was sort of off season.

He LOVED Cafe DuMonde... The Aquarium is a MUST see. A couple of DUers met up with us and took us on the tour and he was right when he took us there. It's just amazing and I think better than even Shedd in Chicago. Galveston is something you can visit rather quickly. The Strand isn't that exciting but, if you're there on a Sunday, it's fun to see the cruise ships leave. There's a great beach on the farthest end of the island and Moody Gardens are beautiful. If your kids are younguns (6-18), Kemah Boardwalk is a very fun time. There's a wicked fast (and soaking wet) boat ride called The Boardwalk Beast. There's a train, some other rides, all of the Landry's restaurants and a beautiful walk along the water. It's just off I-10, if that's the way you're heading to New Orleans. PM me if you want info on Galveston, and Galveston Bay. We spend a ton of time there.

I do have to add that New Braunfels is a much better option than Fredericksburg (which is very "contrived" German, with not many decent German restaurants). I know people down here love it, but, for this woman who looks for food like Oma made, they're kind of "Americanized". New Braunfels has the full German menus with lots of options. Again, it is just a bit off the 10, or you can get to it from 290.

[seabeyond]

46. ahhh. thank you for all this wonderful information.

a treasure trove. and yes, i forgot about New Braunfels

[Texasgal]

41. Also, it is a must

to go to Cafe' Du Monde for some chicory coffee and some fresh Benet's! (sp) It's NOT a fancy place, but it is a great people watching place!

[seabeyond]

47. i have read about this place. it is even on MIL's list. a must

i told hubby that long ago. lol. thanks.

[alphafemale]

42. My BF and I did a portion of this same trip last month.

Drove from SC to New Orleans the first night (drove all night) checked rode bikes around New Orleans a bit in the afternoon then checked into a hotel and napped a few hours. We did Bourbon street. It would probably be fine for kids during the day there. Or certainly to see the bangles and baubles stores near there.

Be sure to do Cafe Beignet. http://www.cafebeignet.com/ YUM! And astoundingly inexpensive.

We really only got to spend a day in New Orleans. I do want to go back some day. But I also want to see new places I haven't seen more. Life's too short. I know friends from OH who have gone to Myrtle Beach...every year...for like thirty years.

I don't get that at all. Do they not even realize that Myrtle Beach is a fairly crappy beach? Even by mid atlantic standards?

But anyway.

But then we did go on to Galveston and Austin. We were going to stay at Galveston Island State Park but it was pouring. Figures no rain in TX for month except on the night we wanted to camp on a beach...right? lol. We found a really cheap halfway decent room though.

Then we went to Austin. My brother and his family live there. We stayed two nights there. They have a wonderful Green Space with a fresh water spring and bike walking paths near the river there. We also checked out that night scene but that was a Monday so not a lot was going on.

From Austin we drove through the night again to get to El Paso and stayed at Franklin Mountains State Park. We were going to cross the border into Jaurez but just about everyone we talked to was horrified at that idea. We did find a place called Rosa's Cantina though. From there it was a nightover in Albuquerque where we ate Sushi and slept(I know right...) but it was on Groupon! Then on to a hike down into waterfalls of Havasupai in the Grand Canyon. Hike out a night in Flagstaff and then two nights on Grand Canyon rim. ELK! We had planned to also hike into the Grand Canyon but decided we were way too exhausted for that.

Heading back for home we spent a night in Winslow AZ the Eagles Statue (such a fine sight to see) cruised through the Petrified Forest and Painted desert. Drove through the night again. Got to Memphis and spent a night and half day with nephew and his girlfriend. Left there and got to Atlanta in time to see an absolutely amazing haunted house. Netherworld. The line to get in was 2 hours. But part of the show was outside while you were waiting. They projected stuff on the side of the building, there was a DJ and costumed characters everywhere.

Drove all night again and got home about 8 in the morning. Exhausted....but

We had an amazing time.

[seabeyond]

50. i love your post. in laws live in el paso, we get there often. NO going over border

no one does. and we use to a decade or more, ago.

we do that, too. when i stopped flying. two years ago we went to cape cod. thru south and up. then came home around the lakes to chicago adn down. last year to san francisco. as you, flagstaff, grand canyon, hoover damn, vegas, reno, across to eureka and redwood forest and down hwy 1. then took south route down.

our next trip is going to be to oregon, wa, canada, montana, wy, col and down.

i LOVE it. the boys and hubby loves it. we will about have covered the whole u.s.

thanks for the info

[Autumn]

48. Marie Laveau's tomb

if you put an x on it your wish will be granted.

[seabeyond]

51. i dont know what cemetary we are going to but it is a tour. we will see.

will i get arrested putting an x on it, lol.

[Autumn]

52. I did it about 35 years ago.

I didn't get arrested. I love NO.

[merh]

54. To enjoy NOLA you don't schedule a lot into the day.

You just wake up and walk out the door of your hotel and walk the streets to the flea market and Jackson Square and Jax Brewery and along the river. Just take your time and enjoy the people and the experience. Maybe take one of the street cars for a ride or the horse drawn carriages (or catch a pedal bike), maybe that is how to do the tour of the garden district. The thing is, you just enjoy the city and the food. There are so many good places to eat.

The Bienville House is on Decatur Street, that is in the French Quarter. From what I know, it is a nice hotel and the weather should be perfect for a walking visit. You'll be there when the weather is comfortable - the heat of the summer can make it tough to enjoy the walking.

Enjoy - just take it easy and enjoy the Big Easy.

[seabeyond]

55. that sounds lovely.

sigh... i wish the trip was planned more like that. maybe we will have to do that another time. thanks.

[Behind the Aegis]

73. in case you don't have the link...

Bienville House: http://www.bienvillehouse.com/french-quarter-attractions/index.html

[seabeyond]

76. wow. lol. wow.

ah ha. you guys are great. i was expecting away from this time architecture and though more an hotel (normal) type place. they always do nice, i am particular anyway... but wow. doesn't that look so fun. she had talked about us having the sunroof rooms with patios.

ah

i am going ot have to be really nice to MIL. you all made me feel so good last night i sent her an email telling her we were excited.

thanks for the picture.

[fishwax]

56. A few thoughts/recommendations

Some of these have already been mentioned, but here goes ...

Bourbon Street shouldn't be too bad during the day. But it's also worth noting that the French Quarter is more than Bourbon Street. Most of the adult entertainment outfits are located on Bourbon Street (actually a specific stretch of Bourbon Street). Royal Street a block down and Dauphine a block up are calmer, but still have plenty to see. Personally, I enjoy just wandering around the other streets of the French Quarter taking in the architecture and the people.

You should check out Jackson Square, of course. It faces the St. Louis Cathedral, which remains beautiful in spite of the fact that gwbush used it as his backdrop for his post-Katrina address. It's a nice park--a good place for relaxing, for people watching, and for checking out the city's street artists, which line up along three of the park's four sides. (The fourth side, Decatur Street, is lined with horse-drawn carriages.) It seems like there is almost always a band playing on the street between the square and the cathedral. (Caveat: I've only been there in the summer, so it may be slightly different in November.)

You've mentioned wanting to go to Cafe Du Monde, which is across Decatur Street from Jackson Square. (IIRC, it's cash only, so bring cash--but it's not expensive.) Cafe Du Monde was always crowded when we were there, so we took our beignets up to the Moonwalk, which is a walkway along the Mississippi River (named after former mayor Moon Landrieu). There's also a little elevated park above the visitor's center that offers a nice view of Jackson Square. Off the moonwalk across from that little park is a set of steps that goes down to the edge of the Mississippi River. It's a nice place to relax, listening to the sounds of the quarter drifting in from behind and the waves of the Big Muddy lapping the shores just below, watching boats large and small make their way up and down the river and cars crossing the Crescent City Connection upstream.

Do you like bookstores? In Pirate Alley (which is the walkway just to the west of the cathedral) there is a nice local bookstore. It's in the Faulkner House (so called because William Faulkner lived there for a while, as he was writing his first novel).

One other food recommendation that I haven't seen mentioned yet: the muffaletta. It's a sandwich with capicola, pepperoni, salami, ham, cheese, and an olive salad. You can get them at several different places, but the only one I can recommend personally (because it's the only one I've had the chance to try) is Central Grocery, which is on Decatur Street a block or two east of Jackson Square. They're inexpensive, filling, and incredibly delicious :)

I looked up the Bienville House -- looks like it is on Decatur just a few blocks away from Jackson Square, so you've got a nice location. All the things I've mentioned will be walkable.

Since you'll have the car, you could drive up to City Park, which is expansive and impressive. I also enjoyed driving along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.

I think you have to get out of the city to get to check out the swamp, but there is the Barataria Preserve, which is part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, about half an hour away. There are some guided swamp tours that you can take from there (or elsewhere), but there are also places where you take a self-guided trail. (They have maps and brochures, and also a feature where you can use your cell phone to call and get pre-recorded messages explaining various features.) I took the Bayou Coquille/Marsh Overlook Trail, and it was very cool. (I didn't see any alligators there, but I did see them on one of the turnouts along US Highway 11, 20 minutes or so east of the city.)

I'm sure there's more, but I think that's a good start. I think you're in for a treat--it's a great city and I hope that you have a great visit (and that the in-laws rules and regulations don't drag you down too much ;).)

[seabeyond]

57. gosh, this is so exciting.

by the 20th email i was getting pretty agitated. thank you for this post. it is just lovely. you are the second one to sugggest the sandwich at the central grocery store. that is a MUST.

thank you. i am printing some of these posts out to take with me.

now i am thinking i might want more time. lol

[marlakay]

60. were they talking po'boys?

okay but i went to the store and had meat pasteies…so flaky….yummm...

[marlakay]

58. just went for first time last year for a week!

Bourbon street is very touristy and trashy and not really a place for kids at all or the best music.

We found that the best music in very relaxed setting is French street a few miles from FQ. All you have to do is buy one drink to sit and hear the music. Some places were small and we sat on a old couch…

we listened to all types of music there. One older lady I almost cried she was so good at this small club….

and if you don't drink I order ginger ale at a few places when i didn't want to drink.

Garden area is pretty old homes but that is only good for 1 afternoon, not more. You should talk them into letting you ride the old streetcars through the garden area and beyond.

I went into chowhound and found places miles outside FQ to see the real people.

One night we went to Rock and bowl with zydeco music across town with us being the only tourists there. Best fun night of bowling ever!!! Got to bowl then dance to great music….your kids would love that!!

I was determined to see the real town and be with the real people. I picked nola because i wanted to help them with my tourist dollars for our anniversary. We took a regular city bus across town one day and I met this young girl and her baby with 25 cute little braids and clips in her hair. We talked about what happened to her after the storm. She said many of her family was displaced and never came back.

I can't wait to go back. The people there are so strong and filled with hope for the future.

The only thing we didn't do was take a boat ride in the swamp area but i did hear that is one thing worth it…

The best breakfast is in a bakery cafe across from the "W" hotel in FQ. The biscuits and gravy are to die for…I know million pounds normally but this is rare!!!

[seabeyond]

63. lol. i swear i am gaining weight just reading all these posts.

thank you marlakay for this post. and also for nto making me feel like a shit not wanting kids on bourbin street. that sounds so lovely. i am so glad i started this thread. now i am actually getting excited about going, i am thinking our family can get in a day earlier to see stuff, we wouldnt see otherwise. as i told the poster above, there is so much info you these posts, i am going to print them out and take with me. lol

so you will go along the way.

hey, i heard there was another street for the music, that was not at all like bourbin, better even that it is where the citizens went for their music. is that french street? is it ok for a couple teenagers to hang out while my hubby gets his fill of blues, do you think?

[marlakay]

65. The street Cafe Du Monde is on

that is the street you follow down, first its the market which is okay but more like any nice farmers market….then stores on the left a few blocks down the kids can hang out or look at…few places for a ice cream or whatever…

further down the street like 1/2 mile or so is where the small clubs start, in that area it is all clubs and they are probably only 21 and over but you could google french street and find out, most of the music is at night though so he might want to slip away!! that is where the best blues, jazz & ??

[seabeyond]

66. what am i thinking, lol. kids are old enough. they can stay at hotel

hubby and i can go without them.

[fishwax]

82. check out this site, seabeyond

It's got a listing of the various music venues on Frenchmen Street and you can get a sense of what acts will be there for the days you're in town: http://www.frenchmenst.com/

I think this is the street Marlakay was referring to, and I second her recommendation. From your hotel it would be a fairly inexpensive cab ride (probably 7-9 bucks), but it isn't a very long walk (less than a mile, I'd guess) if you don't mind the hike. When we went we took a cab over (our hotel was a little farther away, on the other side of Canal) and then walked back home after leaving the club. A bonus is that you can stop by Cafe Du Monde again on your way back to the hotel for some late night beignets to eat by the river :)

Edited to add the link that was the primary purpose of the post.

[seabeyond]

83. my husband will love this. it will be his night. if we get in tuesday, i can get a hotel anywhere

for the one night. we are not meeting up with his family until wedn afternoon. so maybe i can find something close by there. we will also have our car.

yawl and the beignets. lol. i have to buy clothes and fit into them, you know.

of coure my hubby has some of this blood in him. he loves this town. he use to visit every summer. his grandma was a real canjun lady. man she was tough. a 150 and a blunt mouth. loved her. so lots of fond memories for him. i digress. that is soemthing he will make periodically, beignets. we will have to pick up some mix while we are there.

aaaah, i am gonna make this so special for him

i was wrapped in the battle with MIL.

thank you

[fishwax]

84. awesome

Reading this thread is making me anxious to go back for another visit. :)

Sounds like a good plan to go a day early. Enjoy!

[fishwax]

78. quick clarification, marlakay -- I think you mean Frenchmen Street

Rather than French street, which I think is up by the park.

If that's the street you're referring to, I definitely second your recommendation. It's close enough to the Quarter that one can even walk if one wanted to. And there are a lot of great clubs there. When we went, we sat in on an open mic night and were fortunate enough that some big local names just dropped in to play a song or two. It was very cool. I actually meant to mention Frenchmen, but forgot to in my post.

:thumbsup:

[seabeyond]

80. thank you. i had read about the street and french didnt sound right.

it is frenchman... though i am not marlakay

[Horse with no Name]

62. The Rennaisance Festival in Plantersville is going on

for us...it is a "can't miss" thing!

http://www.texrenfest.com/

[seabeyond]

64. so, you are this area? that is perfect timing. i need some place before louisianna

border on the ocean that is nice. cutsey little town. or right over the border. no one is acting very impressed with our gulf. do you know of any place to spend the night, good food?

[Horse with no Name]

69. We are north of there.

It is 6 hours from Plantersville to NOLA and you would go through the Golden Triangle to Lafayette and on over to get to your destination.


I would highly recommend staying in Lafayette which is 4 hours from Plantersville. Fun place and is actually "the best food town in the USA".

http://www.lafayettetravel.com/visitors/bestfood/


>>>snip
Lagniappe (lahn-yop) is a Cajun French word meaning "a little something extra." And we would like to give you a taste of what you can expect when you come visit us, cher.

If you're looking for a unique cultural experience, then Lafayette is where you want to be - real Cajun and Creole cooking - fresh and spicy; just an oyster throw from the bayou; festivals and celebrations - Mardi Gras to a Friday afternoon fais-do-do (street dance); historic antebellum homes; lush tropical gardens; dark and mysterious swamps; and, authentic folklife attractions. You'll find it all in Lafayette.

So come spend a little time with us here on the bayou. We'll save you a place on the dance floor.


>>>>
Lafayette, the heart of Acadiana and the unofficial capital of Cajun Country, with its gleaming present belies an exciting and captivating past. Lafayette is a metropolis which displays an extraordinary mixture of tradition and progressiveness. Having a rich French heritage blended with Spanish, American, Indian and African influences, the city represents a colorful combination of lifestyles.
Lafayette lies 15 miles west of the Atchafalaya Basin and 35 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico and exhibits the subtropical climate typical of South Louisiana. The city is situated in a geographical area of forests and prairies interlaced with bayous, swamps and marshes.



I am thinking the boys might enjoy one of the swamp tours!

McGee's Landing
A complete restaurant and marina with swamp tours, airboat tours and floating guest cabins. Full service bar and deck with live music on weekends. Banquet and meeting facilities, as well as, guide services for hunting and fishing available.
337-228-2384
www.mcgeeslanding.com
[e-mail]


McGee's Atchafalaya Basin Swamp Tours
Get ready for an adventure through moss-draped trees, where graceful lingering alligators. Young and not-so young will enjoy these tours through one of the most unique places on earth.

We now offer an extreme version of our famous swamp tours with private air boat tours (extra cost)

Daily Tour Departures At 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Sunset Cruises Available with Reservations

Admission
Adult: $20.00
Seniors $18.00
Children (Under 12) $15.00
(Minimum of 5 Adults For Departure)

Private Tours, Night Trips and Adventure Tours Available Upon Request.
Fishing and Hunting Guide Service Available
Bird Watching Expeditions Available
Canoe and Kayak Rentals Available
Guided Tours Can Be Arranged
Group Rates Available / Reservations Recommended

[seabeyond]

77. i have been to lafayette and it was

not fun memories. always a pick up of my niece from her mom. 14 hour drive for a couple day visit. or to bring her back to amarillo. my brother couldnt handle the pick ups, so i always did them for him. we never knew if we would get her, every. visit.

but i have not seen much of the town.

my favorite, i came into town one time and a man chatting says cher... lol, and i fall in love. right there. on the spot.

this looks like a good place to do a swamp tour. i really want to do one.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

68. Skip galveston. The beaches are dirty. The beaches and the water are brown.

I-10 goes through Houston, Not Galveston. Galveston is fifty miles south of Houston.
Houston to New Orleans on I-10 is 350 miles, six hours. Houston west to San Antonio is 200 miles, four hours. Austin is 90 miles north of San Antonio on I-35.

If you're going to Austin and San Antonio you can have a great time there. I went to college in San Antonio. The riverwalk is fun, the Alamo is fun, there are lots of things to see and do there, as well as in Austin. The State Capitol is impressive.

One-third of Galveston's population left after Hurricane Ike in 2008. I went through Hurricane Ike in Houston and it was quite scary.

[seabeyond]

79. fredericksburg

spend the night. them austin to see school, New Braunfels (microbrewery for hubby) spend the night there or san antonio. see alamo and i forgot riverwalk. i wanted to do that. takes us to monday. make it to lafayette. swamp ride. NO tues and do all the stuff in this thread before we hook up with in laws.

thanks for telling me to pass on galveston. i love the ocean, but i keep hearing this. but the ocean.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

.dupe

.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

70. dupe.

.

[Horse with no Name]

71. I also forgot about Lost Maples but still recommend Lafayette

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lost_maples/foliage.phtml

The foliage report is awesome!
November 14, 2011 Report: Most Maple trees throughout the park are revealing brilliant color, and with many still with green leaves and yet to change, we might expect our fall spectacular to last for another week or maybe two. The Red Oaks are now joining in the wonderful parade of color with their dark shades of red to maroon. The drive out to Lost Maples is spectacular as many kinds of trees are showing color in the hill country. Come on out to experience one-of-a-kind views of our great state of Texas!

>>>>snip
Lost Maples State Natural Area exists as a portal to Texas' primordial past where bigtooth maples and other relict species from the Ice Age have adapted to climate change over the ages and thrive in special riparian and woodland habitats of the Texas Hill Country.

The Sabinal River and its several tributaries have carved limestone canyons through the 2,200-acre park straddling Bandera and Real counties at the western fringes of the Edwards Plateau. Here, the canyons' moist, cool microclimates support a remarkable diversity of plant life found few other places in Texas.

The bigtooth maple tree ranks as the park's marquee species. In late autumn most years, the stands of old-growth maples set the canyons ablaze in a riot of red, orange and gold foliage, drawing upwards of 50,000 leaf-peepers to the state natural area. The western cousin of the eastern sugar maple retained a foothold in the Hill Country canyons after vast sheets of ice advanced southward across North America almost to present-day Texas, and then retreated. (For an explanation of the park's geological history and information about the bigtooth maple and other indigenous plant species, visit the exhibit hall in the park headquarters.)

The park is home to the state's largest known species of the bigtooth, also known as the Uvalde bigtooth maple and canyon maple. The 40-foot tall maple with a 45-foot crown spread stands at the head of the park's most popular trail, the .8-mile Maple Trail, just a few steps from the day-use area parking lot. However, to really appreciate this wondrous arboretum, visitors should park their vehicle and stroll the wooded canyon trails that traverse the upland canyons of the Sabinal River, as well as Can, Hale Hollow and Lane creeks.

[seabeyond]

81. how wonderful. i LOVE this thread.

much better than those mean ole gender threads of late. thank you